Literature, Culture and Society (Literary Studies)

The Master's in Literature, Culture and Society draws on the fields of literature, cultural studies and intellectual history, and provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to specialise in a major European literature in its broader intercultural contexts.

Literature and culture from a global European perspective

For centuries, literature has played – and continues to play – an important role in our understanding of how society is continuously being shaped and re-shaped. Literature is often associated with intellectual training and skills, Bildung, and (global) citizenship. In this programme, you are encouraged to creatively explore the field of European literature and culture in a broad sense. We address the role these literatures play in increasingly globalised and transcultural contexts. Europe, in this sense, is not just a designated continent, but rather a specific lens on a set of global relations.

Specialising in a literature of your choice

The Master’s programme in Literature, Culture and Society suits students with a strong affinity for language and literature who want to contribute to contemporary cultural debates on topics as wide-ranging as national identity, education and (global) citizenship. The programme allows you to specialise in one of seven major European languages and literatures, including English, French, German, Italian, Scandinavian, Slavonic and Spanish.

Why study Literature, Culture and Society at the University of Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is an international urban hub with a lively literary culture. Drawing inspiration from our surroundings, you’ll benefit from our connections to and partnerships with publishers, theatres, poetry stages, museums, bookstores, and much more.

Specialise in a European literature of your choice, adding depth and focus to your programme. Learn more at Language Specialisations.

The freedom to tailor the programme to your own interests: We offer over 50 electives in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian and Slavonic literatures, as well as Comparative Literature.

MasterLanguage: You can choose to take a MasterLanguage course and meet students with similar research interests from other universities. Learn more at MasterLanguage.

The programme offers you the freedom to explore potential career paths by encouraging you to do an internship at a cultural or literary institution in Amsterdam.

The Faculty has a lively programme of research seminars in which staff and students have the opportunity to give papers on their work and to meet specialists from other universities and institutions.

Diverse cultural partners including Perdu, De Balie, Goethe Institut, Cervantes Institute, Research Centre for Material Culture/Museum of World Cultures, Spui25, Stedelijk Museum and many more.

Degree certificate

Literature, Culture and Society is an accredited degree programme of Literary Studies. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Literary Studies and the title Master of Arts (MA).

Want to know more?

Reread all of the information at your own convenience in our factsheet.

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